Cunningham to miss Ashes

Cunningham is out with a leg injury

Keiron Cunningham and two other St Helens players have been withdrawn from this autumn's internationals.

Cunningham was included in the initial Great Britain squad for a three-match Think! Road Safety Test series against world champions Australia.

But he has been ruled out by the Rugby Football League's international medical team with a leg injury.

Prop forward Keith Mason and back row forward Mike Bennett are also out.

"The medical team advised me that all three players were suffering from injuries from which they would not recover in time to play in the international fixtures," said head coach.

"So they have been ruled out of our plans.

"It is a great pity for them as they are fine players but we were left with no alternative."

Cunningham had been expected to participate in the full Ashes series against Australia.

But Mason and Bennett, both of whom have calf injuries, have been ruled out of the England A squad preparing to meet Australia in a tour game at Brentford on 28 October.